Temperature control system



Nov. 4, 1952 R. H.' HUNTER 2,616,451

TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM Original Filed Nov. 10, 1943 2 SHEETS-SHEET l IN V EN TOR.

BY R.HHuni'e2- 4794M iv 5%,-

ATTORNEYS R. H."HUNTER- TEMPERATURfi CONTROL sysmm Original Filed Nov. 10, 1943 '7 Nov. 4, 1952 2 mews-SHEET z MNN ' ,INVENTOR. BY R.H.Hum 9er= 8M w iz A TTORNEYS Patented Nov. 4, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM Rutherford H. Hunter, Wooster, Ohio Original application November 10, 1943, Serial No.

24, 1948, Serial No. 4,102

. 4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in automatically operable thermostatic apparatus using the cubical expansion of a vaporized volatile fluid to produce a mechanical result, and this application is a division of my copendin application Serial No. 509,697, filed Novembe 10, 1943, matured in Patent No. 2,437,468, dated March 9, 1948. While intended to be used generally wherever it may be advantageously employed, the invention is particularly adapted for accurately controlling a source of heat to pro-- duce and maintain a, desired temperature condition in an enclosed space.

The objects of the invention are to provide an improved pressure generator which includes a casing to be located within the space where a controlled temperature is desired, the casing closely confining a volatile liquid in which is mounted a bellows or hollow contractible element which is completely filled with a non-compressible liquid. The invention also aims to provide an improved valve and quick acting valve operatin mechanism, the valve being interposable in a fuel line of a burner for heating said space and which includes a bellows or a suitable fluid operated means connected by a, line to said pressure generator and to coordinate the operation of said elements with other elements herein disclosed to provide a highly efficient system of temperature control.

A further object is to provide a temperature controlled apparatus of economical construction w-hich'will be, strong and durable and can be conveniently regulated to accurately maintain a desired temperature in a room or otherenclosed space.

The above objects are accomplished and other obvious advantages attained by the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention, it being understood that the same may be changed or modified to adapt it to particular conditions and that equivalent elements may be substituted which come within the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a thermostatic pressure generator constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of same.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view partly in front elevation, taken as indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure2.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view showing in side elevation one method of operatively connect- Divided and this application January ing the improved valves of this'inventionto a fuel line.

Figure 5 is a, central vertical sectional view of the valves provided by this invention for controlling the flow of fuel to aburner or other heat producing means.

Proceeding now to a detailed description of the particular apparatus disclosed in the drawing, numeral 6 is used generally to denote a pressure generator which is located in the space in which a certain degree of temperature is to be maintained. The numeral 1 denotes an improved valve which is interposed in the fluid line of a burner of a furnace or other apparatus for heating said space, and the numeral 8 denotes a thermocouple electrically operated valve which is controlled by the pilot light of said burner.

As shown in the drawings, the pressure generator B has a back plate If], a cylindrical casing H, having rearwardly projecting posts l2, l3 and M secured to said back plate by means of the screws H: which are threaded in said posts. The casing H has an integrally formed top Wall l5, completely closing the upper end thereof and a disc l1, having a central opening 18, which is welded, brazed or otherwise impermeably secured in the lower end of said casing.

The numeral 20 denotes a bracket which is secured to the back plate I!) to project forwardly beneath the lower end of the casing H. The bracket 20 has a vertically arranged tubular portion 2i which is co-axially arranged relative to the opening l8 and which is provided with a vertical bore in which" is slidably mounted a shaft 22.

The bracket 20 includes a lug which curves downwardly and forwardly and terminates in a horizontal portion 24. The horizontal portion is provided with a threaded bore (not shown) in which is mounted from the lower end thereof a screw 25 to engage the lower end of the shaft 22. The shaft 22 projects upwardly into the cavity of the casing and is provided with an axial bore 26 which extends therein from the upper end thereof. An upper shaft 28 is slidably mounted in the bore 26 and projects upwardly beyond the shaft 22. The upper end portion of the shaft 28 is provided with an axial bore 29 in which is mounted the guide pin 30 which is secured to the upper wall l6 of the casing ll whereby the shaft 28 is slidably movable therein. The shaft 28 terminates at the upper end thereof in an upwardly bulged disc 3| which has a horizontal marginal portion 32 disposed concentrically in the casing H. a

The shaft 22 is provided on the upper end thereof with an outwardly projectin annular shoulder 34 which forms the seat for the lower end of a coil spring 35 which is mounted on the shaft 28 for compression between the shoulder 34 and the disc 3|, the screw 25 being operable to regulate said-compression.

A flat annular'wa'sher 40 is welded; brazed or otherwise secured to the lower wall IT. The lower edge portion of the walls 38a and 381) are soldered, bra-zed or otherwise secured to the washer 40 to form a fluid-tight annularcavity 42' between said walls. The space 43 which surrounds the bellows 38 is also fluid tight an'dbOn'tains'a' volatile fluid prepared to vaporizeata certain selected temperature. A threaded-borerextends through the washer 40 and wall I I and a suitable nipple 45 is threaded in said bore to communicate with the annular cavity 42. connected to the nipple 45 and leads to the valve operating means hereinafter describedj In Figure 5 there is shown a preferred form of the improved valve T which", as shown; has a tubular 'valve body which isof conventional design with a partition 5| dividing the cavity of said body into an inlet cavity 52 andoutl'et cavity 53 A threaded inlet opening 55*1eadsto'thecavity 52 and a threaded outlet opening leads from thecavity 53.

The central portion 5H1 of" the partition is horizontal andis-provided with an opening 56' having an annular valve seat-5! disposed around 4 said opening on the upwardly presented side thereof. The body 50 is providedon the lower side'thereof with an' enlarged opening 58 which communicates-with the cavity 52. projecting internally and externally threaded nipple Gil-surrounds said-opening-58-f A yoke ring BI is threaded in said nipple and a yol ie 62' one pendsfrom' said ring and terminates-in ahorizontal portion 63; The horizontal portion 63 is provided with a centrally positioned threaded bore-64 andapin-65 is threaded therein to project upwardly therefrom; A spring member se is secured to thebottom of the yoke 62 by the pin 65, and a nut 61- being threaded on said pin to hold the spring member fi'fi ag'ainst the horizontal member 63. The" endportions of the spring fifi project' upwardly from them'ember 63' to form the spring arm 68 and-'69. Each of the arms 88 and G9 are provided on theupper end Theyoke is" provided with screws: H which may be operatedagainst the spring arms 68 and 69- t'o' regulate the tension thereof with a roller 10.

thereof.

Thenurneral I2- denotes a valve stemiwhichis positioned in" said" body; and: extends v ctr-axially:

with a bore 12ain which is slidably'received the pin 65. A cover'80' isthreaded on the nipple to completely enclose the mechanism above-described.

The body 50 is provided on the upper side thereof with an opening 82 which communicates with the cavity 53 and a flange 83 projects outweirdly" from said opening to provide a support A'- downwardly for the bonnet hereinafter described. A washer 84 is positioned on said flange and a solid wall 85 is secured to the under side of said washer to completely close the opening 82. The wall 85 is provided with a centrally positioned opening Sii in whichlthe shaft 12 is slidablyreceived.

A disc 80' havinga central'opening 89 is secured to the upper end of the shaft 12 and a bellows 90 is co-axially positioned around the shaft I2 with itsiupper'end soldered, brazed or otherwise secured to the disc 88 and its lower axial end likewise'secured to the washer 84. The bellows 88: is preferably composed of copper but may be formed .of any; suitable material and is provided withlclosely spaced,\. deep circumferential corrugations so as to be readily expandable or contractible' as hereinafter described.

The shaft 12 is Provided with an axial bore 92 which extendsitherein fromlthe upper end: thereof as shown'l in Figure 5' and aiguideishafti93f'isf slidably mounted in theTb'oreBZ; Theishaft 93s'ha'sai disc'fl z secured to theiupperi'end thereofftotform. the upper wall of'the snap bellows;95. Th'e'belelows 3s sir'nilar't'o thebellowsi 90 and hasiits'upper end soldered, brazed or otherwise secured tothe" disc 94 andits lower end-likewise secured to the washer '88; The shaft 93 extendsiinto'the'bore 92 to a point adjacent the end there'of' so that'a contractionlof the bellows 95' will. force the-shaft 83' against the bottom: of said bore andiexert a downward force on the shaft'I2l Numeral 95 denotes; a bonnet or" casing open at the lower end and provided atisaid' open: end with a'ii'ange 91 which corresponds in outlineto the flange 83 and is. secured thereto by the bolts 98' to hold the washer 84 in place andiform. a fiuid-tight joint there between. The bonnet: 96. thus enclosess a. fluidtight space 993 which surrounds the. circumferentiallandiupper' axial. sides of the bellows I90 and. 95.

threaded connecting" means IOI forsecuring the tube 45' thereto in communication with the space 99.

The" valve; 8r is: provided; with. a; hollow valve body I05 having an. internally" threaded. outlet nipple I06 and a. similar inlet nipple I01. A

partition I08 divides the cavity of. the body I05' into an outlet chamber I09and aninlet'chamher. I I0.v The central portion of the partition. is horizontal. and provided with. an. opening: III. A- valve seat M2 surrounds the" opening II I on" the lower side: of. said-partition; I08. A valve stem I I4 is positioned in said body to extend coaxially through said openings The body l05'is provided on the-lower side thereof with an opening H5 and a cylindricalexterna-lly andlinternally threadednipple. I I6surrounds said opening and projects downwardly therefrom. A closure II! i threaded in-the'nipple H6; The" member I I! has a thickenedcentralportion provided with a bore H8 in' which is slidably'mount'ed the reduced lower end 4a of the stem H4. The. numeral Il9 denotes a cover which is threaded on the nipple II6 to completely close the mechanism above-described.

The body I05 is provided on. the upper. side thereof with afiatface I20 and withan enlarged opening I2I. A tubular section I22 provided at the lower edge thereof with an outwardly projecting circumferentially" extending flange I23 which is secured to the marginal portions of the face I20 by the bolts I24 and with the" cavity of said tubular portion coinciding withth'e opening I2I. A flexible diaphragm I25 is positioned on The bonnet 96 is" provided. with a threaded. bore: I00. in which is the flat face I to completely close the opening I2 I, the marginal portions of said diaphragm being tightly impinged between the flange I23 and the face I20.

The valve stem I I4 is offset larger as at IT! to form a downwardly presented shoulder against which is positioned a disc I28. The central portion of the diaphragm is provided with an opening through which said valve stem II4 extends and the central portion of said diaphragm is held against the lower side of said disc I28 by the washer I36, a nut I3I being operated on said stem II4 to tightly impinge the central portion of the diaphragm between the disc I28 and washer I39 and secure the same in tight contact with the shoulder indicated at I21; The diaphragm I25 is preferably formed of strong flexible impermeable material and the portion thereof extending between the disc I28 and the edge of the opening IZI is in a free or unstretched condition which will permit free movement of the stem H4. The reduced lower end portion of the stem I54 extends upwardly to a plane below the valve seat II2 to form a downwardly presented shoulder against which the valve head I32 is securely held by the nut I33 which is threaded on said stem.

The disc I28 is provided with an upstanding circumferentially extending flange IZBa to form a seat for the coil spring I35. The upper portion of the cavity of the section I22 is provided with a smooth cylindrical wall I36 and a washer I31 having a central aperture I36 is mounted on the stem I 54 with the peripheral edge of the washer slidably contacting said wall I36.

The washer I3I is provided with a, concentrically arranged depending flange I 39 which forms a seat for the upper end of the spring I35.

The upper portion I46 of the section I22 is internally threaded and a pressure regulating wheel l4; having a thick rim portion with a threaded peripheral face is operatively threaded in said threaded portion I40. The wheel member I4I has an upwardly projecting hub I4Ia through which the shaft I I4 projects; a washer I42 having a hub l42b which projects upwardly therefrom is slid-- ably mounted on the shaft II4 above the upper edge of the section I22. The hub I421) is enlarged at the upper end thereof to form an armature 43. The washer I42 is provided with a circumferentially extending flange I42a. which forms a seat for the coil spring I45 which is mounted thereon. The upper end of the spring I45 bears against a disc I46 which is fixed to the upper end of the shaft H4. The disc I46 is provided with a depending flange I47 to form a seat for'the upper end of said spring I45. An electro-magnet M8 is also secured to the upper end portion of said shaft immediately below the disc I46, a fastening member I49 being detachably secured to the upper end of said shaft II4, to securely hold the disc I46 thereon. The electro-magnet I48 as illustrated includes the coils i5I and I52 and suit able core members I48a, but may be of any suitable construction. The magnet I48 is connected by the wires I 54, I55 in an electric circuit hereinafter described. 7

It will be seen that the wheel I4I may be operated in the threaded barrel I40 so that the rim portion thereof will bear against the disc I31 and regulate the tension of the spring I35 or it may be operated to move the hub I4Ia against the washer I42 and regulate the tension of the spring I45. When the magnet I48 is de-energized the pressure of spring I45 holds washer I42 against hub Ia and urges washer I46 and shaft. 4 secured thereto upward to close valve:l32, over-- coming the downward pressure of spring I35 which tends to open the valve.

The section I22 is ofiset smaller at the upper end thereof and a suitable hood I56 is threadedpressure generator is mounted, one end of a tube 46 is connected to the nipple 45 with the other end connected to the member I6I whereby the bore of the tube 46 communicates with the cavity 42 and with the space 99. A tube I62 is connected to the valve I to communicate with the space 52 or I99. In the drawings, the tube is shown as connected to the valve I to communicate with the inlet cavity 52, but it may be connected to said valves or to the line I66 in any suitable manner. The tube I62 leads to the burner "SI and is provided in the free end thereof with suitable openings I63 to form a pilot light.

The numeral I64 denotes a thermopile which may be of any suitable construction but is preferable of the compound type. The wires I54 and I 55 are connected to the thermopile I64 and lead to the coils I5I and I52 to complete a circuit for the electricity generated by the thermopile I64 when the pilot light I63 is lit.

The space 43 is filled or partly filled with a volatile liquid and the space 42 the tube 46 and the space 96 with oil, alcohol or other noncompressible liquid.

The projecting portion of thestem H4 is pressed downwardly to open the valve I32 and the pilot light formed by the tube I62 is ignited. The heat generated by the pilot light generates sufficient electricity in the thermopile I62 and energizes the coils I5I and I52 causing the cores Mild to hold the armature I43 in the inoperative position shown in Figure 5. This allows the downward pressure of the spring I35 to hold the valve I32 in an open position,

As the heat generated by the burner I6I is conducted to the space in which the pressure generator 6 is positioned, it causes the fluid in the space 43 to volatilize and the vapor thereof to expand. The pressure of the expanding vapor exerts a force on the bellows 36 and compresses the bellows in accordance with the temperature of the room. This compression causes the liquid in the cavity 42 to be forced into the tube 46 and into the space 99 which compresses the bellows and 65 in accordance with the temperature of the volatile liquid in the space 43.

As the temperature of the room rises, the stem I2 is forced downwardly with the sprin pressed rollers T9 contacting the conical surface of the member I9 to restrain the closing movement of the valve until the valve head I4 is close to the seat 51. As the valve head I4 nears a closed position, the conical member I9 is forced to a position where the rollers I0 snap over the upper edge of the said member, thus releasing the restraining load of the spring arms 68 and 69,

whereupon the compressed air in the snap bellows will quickly complete the closing movement.

'As the temperature of the room lowers, the

volatile liquid in the space contracts and the spring 35 expands the bellows 38 thus drawing the liquid from the space 99 to the space 42. As the rollers are positioned over the upper edge of the conical member 19, a slight release of pressure will not open the valve, but when the pressure has been reduced to a certain point, the compressed air in the snap bellows 95 will cause the valve '14 to snap to an open position.

The pressure generator 6 may be accurately regulated by operating the screw and the operation of the valve 1 regulated by adjusting the screws H. The stem 12 is mounted for free sliding movement in the bore 85 which permits air or gas to flow freely to and from the interior of the bellows 90.

' It will thus be seen that this invention provides simple inexpensive means for accurately regulating the operation of heating apparatus to heat and maintain the atmosphere of a room or other space at a certain selected temperature.

The operation of the valve 9 may be initially regulated by operating the wheel MI in the threaded portion M9.

When the valve 14 is closed, the pilot light H53 will heat the thermopile I64 and generate sufficient electricity to hold the spring I45 in a compressed or inoperative position. If, however, the supply of fuel is for any reason discontinued, the magnet formed by the coils I5! and I52 will release the armature I l-3 and the spring 145 will raise the stem H4 and close the valve [32, thus preventing the escape of gas until the valve 32 is opened by manually depressing the stem lid and igniting the pilot light I63.

While the valves 1 and 8 are described as two separate devices, they operate as a single unit to produce a desired, highly important result and that the pressure regulator 6 operates with the valves 9 and 9 to produce this result.

Having thus illustrated a particular adaptation of my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

I claim:

1. In a pressure operated valve, a hollow valve body, a partition in said body, said partition having a valve opening, a valve stem extending coaxially through said opening; a cylindrical bellows having a collapsible side wall and an end wall, said stem extendin through said bellows with the upper end thereof secured to said end wall, a casing enclosing a fluid-tight space around said bellows, a tube connected to said casing for conducting a fluid to and from said space; a second bellows mounted in said casing on the first named bellows, said second bellows filled with a compressible gas; a valve head on said stem, said stem projecting through said valve head and valve opening; an inverted frustro-conical member coaxially secured to the downwardly projecting end of said stem, spring pressed rollers bearing against the sides of said member to restrain a closing movement of said valve; said rollers positioned to snap over the upper edge of said member when the valve is moved close to a closed position whereupon the force of the compressed gas in said second bellows will quickly close said valve.

2. In a pressure operated valve, a hollow valve body, a partition in said body, said partition having a valve opening; a valve stem extending coaxially through said opening; a cylindrical bellows having a longitudinally foldable side wall and an end wall; said valve stem secured to said end wall; a casing enclosing a fluid-tight space around said bellows; atube connected to said casing for conducting a fluid under pressure to said space; a snap bellows mounted on the first named bellows, said snap bellows filled with air or the like; spring pressed means for retarding a closing movement of said valve, said retarding means automatically releasable when the valve is near a closed position, whereupon the force of air compressed in said snap bellows will quickly complete the ClOSlng movement of said valve.

3. In a pressure operated valve, a hollow valve body, a partition in said body, said partition having a valve opening, a valve stem extending coaxially through said opening; a cylindrical bellows having a longitudinally foldable side wall and an end wall; said valve stem secured to said end wall; a casing enclosing a fluid-tight space around said bellows; a tube connected to said casing for conducting a fluid under pressure to said space; a snap bellows mounted in co-axial relation on the first named bellows, said snap bellows filled with a compressible gas; adjustable spring pressed means for retarding a closing movement of said valve, releasable when the valve is near a closed position whereupon the force of air compressed in said snap bellows will quickly complete the closing movement of said valve, said spring pressed means also retarding the initial opening movement of said valve.

4. In a pressure operated valve, a hollow valve body, a partition in said body, said partition having a valve opening, a valve seat around said opening, a valve stem extending coaxially through said openin a cylindrical bellows having a collapsible side wall and an end wall; said stem extending through said bellows with the upper end thereof secured to said end wall, a casing enclosing a fluid-tight space around said bellows, a tube connected to said casing for conducting a fluid to and from said space, a second bellows mounted within said casing on the first named bellows, said second bellows filled with a compressible gas; a valve head on said stem, said stem projecting through said valve head and valve opening; downwardly tapered member secured to the downwardly projecting end of said stem; the lower portion of said member having a bore, a pin entered on said bore to hold said valve head in co-aXial alignment with said valve opening; spring pressed rollers bearing against the sides of said member to retard a closing movement of said valve; said rollers positioned to snap over the upper edge of said member when the valve is moved close to a closed position whereupon the force of the compressed gas in said second bellows will quickly close said valve.

RUTHERFORD H. HUNTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,300,717 Fulton Apr. 15, 1919 1,480,942 McKee Jan. 15, 1924 1,768,625 Olsen July 1, 1930 1,841,211 Ryden Jan. 12, 1932 1,995,390 Hubbard Mar. 26, 1935 2,259,280 Wile Oct. 14, 1941 2,362,338 Anderson Nov. 7, 1944 2,365,650 Shaw Dec. 19, 1944 2,372,684 Roth Apr. 3, 1945 2,437,468 Hunter -Mar. 9, 948 

